From the first conception of RockWire through to planning, permit applications, building and then operations, the environment has always been at the forefront of why we are doing this. Helping people create innate, organic connections with nature through adventure leads to lifelong desires to explore, protect and conserve the ecosystems they have fallen in love with. The development of these intrinsic values of environmental ownership and stewardship within our guests is the legacy RockWire wants to be remembered for.
The alpine region, with which Mt Buller is a part, makes up only 0.15% of Australia’s total land area and is found only in parts of NSW, ACT, Victoria and Tasmania. Within this tiny footprint are flora, fauna and ecosystems found nowhere else on Earth. Its biological, ecological, geological, cultural and historical significance is enormous.
Mt Buller is one of only three places in the world where the Mountain Pygmy Possum lives, classified as ‘Endangered’ under the EPBC Act 1999 and ‘Threatened’ under the Victorian FFG Act 1988. Protecting this species is a core operational priority at RockWire. Everything from the length and timing of our season to the course of our routes has been designed around protecting the MPP and its habitat.
Breeding season happens after they wake from hibernation in August/September and continues into October. We open from November 1 to ensure minimal interference, and close in early May so they can forage and prepare for winter undisturbed. During the permitting phase, we re-routed the entire course to avoid boulder fields and gullies — prime habitat for MPP — starting routes from the top instead of the base. The Zig Zag access track is designed to channel water runoff through natural rock filters, preventing sediment from entering boulder fields and blocking or trapping possums.
Our guides know the mountain inside out — not just the routes, but the plants and animals that call it home. They’re trained to spot rare and endangered species like the Mountain Pygmy Possum, Alpine Bog Skink and Tussock Skink, and work closely with Alpine Resorts Victoria to share sightings for conservation monitoring. Along the way, you’ll hear stories about the area’s ecology, geology and cultural history, helping you see the mountain in a whole new light.
We ask guests to bring a refillable water bottle, keep loose items secure, avoid snacks with wrappers, and use the bathroom before setting out. Everything we take up the mountain comes back down — including any waste.
We keep our footprint small. Tours are scheduled so we can transport guests together, keeping vehicle use to a minimum. Our base operates simply — no heating or cooling, lights and devices only when needed — and we separate all recycling. Guides carry litter bags on every tour, and we avoid single-use packaging wherever possible. Even our emergency toilet system is designed to leave nothing behind.
We make the most of what we have. Climbing ropes, harnesses and hardware are given a second life through reuse, repurposing or recycling once they’re retired from service. Any surplus metal from course construction is recycled, reducing landfill waste and the need for new materials.
